And as specialist police officers resumed the search for the abducted five-year-old, she ­released two pictures of April in a bid to keep the hunt in the public eye.

Coral Jones, who turns 41 this week, said she hopes her daughter will be home before her birthday.

She used a Facebook page called Find April Jones to share her pain, posting one picture of her little girl riding the bike she was on when she was taken and another of her in front of a fish tank.

She wrote: “There are birthdays coming up in our house, mine is first then Harley (April’s older brother) is just ­after.

“April, You love helping me wrap up Harley’s presents and blowing out the candles.

“Please come home and make my birthday wish come true. I love you so much, come home so my heart can be fixed. I miss you like hell.”

Coral, who allowed her daughter to play out late on the day she disappeared as a treat for getting a glowing school ­report, also wrote on the Facebook group: “April where are you we need you back home with us.